Wednesday, May 17, 2023 / by Trisha Davis
First Impressions Matter
We want your house to look its best. So when people see it, online or in person, they'll be wowed and need to see more. The money you invest in professional listing photos and improving your curb appeal leads to a great return on investment.
Before photos, the best advice is to pre-pack. You are planning on moving, so let's get ahead of the task. Pack up those clothes that are last season or better yet, clean out your closets. Donate, garage sale or sell on-line. It's time to get rid of the clutter and things that no longer are useful to you. Pack up all those great personal photos, items and collectibles. It's time to depersonalize your home too. The idea is that potential buyers need to see themselves living in the space and not be preoccupied by all of your great belongings. They don’t need to know about you, they need to buy the house, right?
Touch up walls and trim paint chips. Fre; ...
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Tuesday, May 9, 2023 / by Trisha Davis
If you’ve been preparing to buy a home in the last couple of years, then you’re probably aware of the serious housing inventory shortage you may have to contend with.
Low housing supply has led to rising home prices, buyer competition and, in many markets, bidding wars.
But what caused the shortage in the first place? And why hasn’t it changed much in recent years? Here’s what you need to know.
Slow Housing Construction: Builders have reduced their work since the housing crash in 2008. There have also been issues with supply chains, the rising cost of lumber and other materials, and contractor shortages. All these elements have made it harder to build new homes to increase supply.
Homeowners Staying Put: Right now, mortgage rates are higher than they were at the height of the pandemic. Finding a new home doesn't always make sense for homeowners with the 2% or 3% rates seen a few years ago. Few are choosing to sell because of interest rates, but man. ...
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Tuesday, March 28, 2023 / by Trisha Davis
What elements make up your credit score?
When you buy a home, your credit score plays an essential role: It can impact what loans you’re eligible for and the interest rate you get (which will affect your monthly payment costs).
But what determines your score? The exact elements depend on which scoring method you’re looking at, and lenders often use FICO.
Generally speaking, credit scores range from 300 to 850 and are influenced by the following five factors:
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FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
How One App Could Help You Find a Home
It can be hard to find a new place. And while listing platforms are a good place to start, branching out to social media might offer plenty of inspiration or help in the real estate market. ...
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#monthlynewsletter #iowarealestate #yourlocalagent, #firsttimebuyers, #improvecreditscore
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 / by Trisha Davis
No one wants to pay too much for a house. It can be a frustrating prospect, plus it makes your payments higher and could make appreciation seem less likely.
If home values fall too much, you could end up underwater, which means owing more on your mortgage than your home is worth.
But you shouldn’t be worried about that.
Fortunately, there are ways to spot an overpriced home. To ensure you don’t overpay, we’ll watch for these signs.
Its days on market (DOM) is high. If a home has been on the market a while, it likely means no one who has toured it has thought it was worth the price. This typically indicates a price point that’s too high or something wrong with the home.
It has a higher price than similar properties. Unless a home has standout or luxury features, it should be priced similarly to those around it. If its price is notably higher for no obvious reason, consider it overpriced.
It’s gone on and off the m. ...
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Tuesday, June 28, 2022 / by Trisha Davis
Stage Your Home With These 5 Tips
Staging is a vital tool when selling a property. The majority of buyer's agents say staging can increase offers by anywhere from 1% to 20%, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors.
On a home listed at $400,000, that could mean up to $80,000 more.
Do you want to market your property better, or potentially fetch a higher sale price? Keep these staging tips in mind:
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FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
Homeowners: Be Prepared for These Costs
First-time homebuyers are often surprised by some of the repair and maintenance expenses that come with owning a house. Here's what to know if you want to make sure you're ready for them.
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